Healthcare Science Week

Jim Diamond

Jim Dimond is a Consultant Healthcare Scientist in maxillofacial prosthetics and service lead for maxillofacial prosthetics/reconstructive science at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

Why did you choose job/a career in healthcare science?

As a maxillofacial prosthetist (reconstructive scientist) I make and fit custom-made medical devices, such as facial prosthetics and metal skull plates. I wanted a practical profession as I’ve always enjoyed making things, but also wanted to work within healthcare. This clinical role is the best of both worlds.

What does a typical day involve?

Each day is very diverse. My time is split between sculpting wax and colouring silicone in the laboratory, taking moulds of patients and fitting prostheses and other devices in clinic, attending wards and theatre and digital 3D planning and printing using cutting edge technology. In addition, I could be called upon to plan emergency reconstruction of the facial bones after major trauma, or to make a splint to hold the jaws in the correct position.

How does your job impact on patient health?

The majority of patients we see have had major surgery and lost part of their face. Our role is to help rehabilitate them, giving them the confidence to return to everyday life and see family and friends without any concerns over their appearance. On top of the aesthetic benefits, we can also help with function following oral cancer, for example we can provide a modified denture to restore speech and swallowing. Pre-surgical planning is also a big aspect of what we do and this has helped to improve patient outcomes and reduce theatre time.

What would you say to someone thinking about a career in Healthcare Science?

A career in healthcare science is extremely rewarding. It is a privilege to be a part of the patient’s journey and to have such an impact on quality of life gives immense job satisfaction. Due to the range of work and materials used there is a lot to learn, but no two days are the same and certainly never boring.

Pete Bill

Pete Bill works as a healthcare scientist at Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust.

Why did you choose job/a career in healthcare science?

When I originally applied for my career in neurophysiology I lacked knowledge on the core duties of the role. I was always interested in science and eager to have a job that directly involved working with the general public. A role in physiological science was a perfect way to combine patient-facing activities with science and technology.  Despite some improvement in visibility of healthcare science services, there is still a general lack of knowledge of the career pathway and the impact on the patient journey, particularly in the smaller more specialised disciplines.

What does a typical day involve?

My job role is split into managerial/leadership and clinical roles. The interesting science part of the job is the clinical work. Throughout my years I have had the opportunity to develop the neurophysiology service here at Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust to provide advanced services in all core areas. This includes electroencephalography (EEG) for the diagnosis of disease affecting the brain function from first diagnosis of epilepsy all the way to a highly specialised children’s epilepsy surgery service with long term EEG monitoring and invasive EEG studies.

We have a complex peripheral neurophysiology service with nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) to assess muscle and nerve disease and have a history of using advanced practice scientists in this area, including into theatre where we provide intra-operative monitoring to neurosurgical spine and brain cases to protect function and improve outcomes. Finally, we provide an advanced evoked potential service including full visual electrophysiology for neurology and ophthalmic specialities, and have a highly specialised source localisation service allowing us to identify non-invasively functional areas of the brain prior to surgery to support decision-making and to help the surgeon plan the operation to restrict post-surgical deficits. 

What would you say to someone thinking about a career in healthcare science?

Jump on any opportunity you have for a career in healthcare science. This diverse professional group has a huge variety of specialised services delivered in lots of different situations and places, both involving patients and public and/or samples, but all with a vital role in patient and public health. This fantastic workforce contributes to nearly all patient pathways and provide a fascinating and fulfilling career.